Smart technology to assess the expected end of life of overhead lines conductors

Context

Elia Group, in partnership with Sentrisense, has completed a project using smart vibration sensors to better understand the condition of overhead line conductors. This new approach helps measure the fatigue of overhead power lines that have been in service for decades, making it easier to plan maintenance and replacements.

Approach

Overhead conductors represent over 1,391 kilometers of Elia’s network, and some have been in operation for nearly a century. Until recently, there wasn’t an effective way to evaluate their condition. This project focused on measuring aeolian vibrations — the movement that wind causes on conductors — over a full year. The data was analyzed and then cross-checked through fatigue tests in the lab to verify how much wear the lines had accumulated.

Results

One of the test sites, line 70.802 Tienen St-Truiden, was chosen because its conductor is nearly 100 years old. The results were encouraging: the line was in good shape, showing very little aging. This information gives Elia Group greater confidence in planning future replacements and helps prioritize resources where they are needed most.

Next steps

Looking ahead, Elia Group plans to expand the project by testing guard cables. This will help determine if the same technology can be applied to other assets across the network.

This project with Sentrisense has provided Elia Group with a practical way to monitor and predict conductor fatigue and better plan replacements. Now the asset management team gained valuable insights into the condition of decades-old infrastructure, helping to prioritize maintenance where it matters most.

Partners